After considering such established stars as Lana Turner, Elizabeth Taylor, Rhonda Fleming, Ava Gardner and Yvonne De Carlo for the lead in Helen of Troy (1956), director Robert Wise chose Podestà, an established actress but one who was relatively unknown outside of Italy. The problem was that she could not speak English. As she would be surrounded by British actors, and to avoid a clash of accents and dialects among the characters, Wise employed a vocal coach to help her learn her lines by rote.
Italian sex siren of the late 50s and 60s best known for playing Helen
of Troy on film and for her appearances in European sandal-and-spear
spectacles.
She was the partner of climber/writer Walter Bonatti from 1980 until his death (13 September 2011).
Received a 2 page doctoral profile (4 photos) in the March, 1966 issue of Playboy.
Was one of the judges in the 1979 Miss Universe pageant.